First-year athlete Grace Wallace has put on a show at the plate throughout her first year for Keene State softball as the season comes to an end.
Grace Wallace is a true first-year out of Westbrook, Maine, and played track and field and hockey before her time at Keene State College. In her short time as an Owl, she has displayed her skill and has proven herself as a starter for the team.
Wallace was named as one of the Owl Athletes of the Week on Monday, April 15. She achieved this because of her impressive efforts in the previous three games where she held a batting average of .666 percent on top of the five RBIs she recorded.
“The recent player of the week means a lot to me. It was awesome to be recognized. I look to improve by having a positive mindset and staying confident in my abilities,” Wallace said. “I will continue to work hard at practice and keep working on my swing and game approach.”
The Keene State Softball Head Coach, Carrah Fisk Hennessey, has noticed Wallace’s success and attributes that success to her focus and drive.
“Grace is driven as a competitor and as an individual. She is always super focused on how to hit the ball hard and hit the ball well. Her focus is unique at the plate,”Hennessey said.
Wallace currently is second among the starting lineup in batting average with a .351 off of 74 at-bats this season.
Along with a high batting average, Wallace has tallied a team-leading three home runs this season. Her three home runs are also tied for second among the entire Little East Conference.
The first-year attributes her success to hard work and the positivity that comes along with the team’s chemistry.
“My results this year are from hard work, support from my family, and benefiting from coaching throughout my career. Having teammates that support me has also really helped me do well at the plate,” Wallace said.
A team must be connected by the end of the season, even including the incoming freshman. Maintaining this connection is equally as important as staying focused and competitive.
First-year captain Molly Murray is appreciative of Wallace’s success, as well as her ability to connect with the team.
“Grace is funny, and she brings a lot of energy to the team which helps out with the chemistry. She is just such a good player and teammate in all aspects.” Murray said.
The Keene State softball team has six games remaining, which means a handful of at-bats for Wallace to add to her freshman success. The Owls are 5-23 this season,
The Owls take on the University of Massachusetts (Boston) in an away doubleheader on Tuesday, April 23.
Jacob Enscoe can be contacted at
jenscoe@kscequinox.com
